Boiling Springs pitcher Hennessy commits to Clemson

Jacob Hennessy doesn't have to worry about calls from college recruiters during his final two years at Boiling Springs.

By Kevin Meltonkevin.melton@shj.com

Jacob Hennessy doesn't have to worry about calls from college recruiters during his final two years at Boiling Springs.

The left-handed pitcher has his decision made.

Hennessy, an All-Region II-4A selection, has verbally committed to Clemson. He chose the Tigers over College of Charleston, who had also already offered.

Hennessy posted a 3-1 record with a .408 batting average, four doubles, eight RBIs and 14 runs scored. He also plays first base.

Hennessy said committing to the Tigers fulfills his dream of playing major college baseball.

“They have a winning tradition and play in the best conference, I think, in the nation in the ACC,” he said. “It feels really good. The next two years I'm going to make sure I'm not lying down. I'm going to be working harder than I probably ever have.”

Hennessy said Clemson became increasingly interested in him throughout his sophomore season. He added that strong performances on the mound helped his cause.

Hennessy plans on majoring in business administration when he gets to Clemson. He admitted the Tigers are his favorite team but said his decision was not based on that.

“I've been a Clemson fan for a little bit but not my whole life,” Hennessy said. “When I went on a visit, I just loved the campus and facilities that they had.”

Hennessy said the fact that Clemson will bring back longtime coach Jack Leggett next year excites him following a season in which the Tigers did not get out of the NCAA regionals. He's hoping the coaching staff will still be the same when arriving on campus in two years but will not change his mind if that's not the case.

“It's Clemson for me,” Hennessy said. “I want to play under Coach Leggett, but if something happens before that I still want to be a Clemson Tiger and get a degree from there.”

Hennessy added that eventually joining 2015 Clemson signees Alex Eubanks (Byrnes) and Adam Renwick (Dorman), as well as, former Rebels standout Reed Rohlman will be exciting.

“Clemson has recruited this area hard,” Hennessy said. “I think it will be really cool playing with the guys I played against in the region that are my friends.”